Mary’s Assumption: Relevance for Today?
Fr. Patrick Gaffney, SMM
The Assumption of Mary: Is it Relevant for Today?
Question: The Assumption of Mary into heaven has never been a favorite feast of mine. It doesn’t say anything to me. If she is in heaven body and soul, what difference does that make? A QoAH Member from Fort Wayne, IN.
Answer: I hope that the above wording of your question, a summary of your letter, does justice to the core of your inquiry. It is a timely question, one that a number of people ask around the feast of the Assumption, “the summer festival of Mary.”
Following the thought of Saint Louis de Montfort, it must be said that whenever we talk about Mary, we are ultimately not only praising God but clarifying the meaning of redemption. In other words, the Assumption is not a feast centered on Mary; it is, rather a celebration of the wonders of God’s Love. In commemorating Our Lady’s Assumption, we see more clearly who our Savior is and who we are.
Everything about Our Lady speaks of Jesus. Her Assumption tells of the triumph of Calvary, the victory of the Cross. This feast of Mary manifests, in a very concrete manner, that the triumph of Jesus over sin and death is not only His personal victory. Summarizing all of this, the risen Lord draws the entire cosmos into His eternal glory. Easter, like all that Jesus says, does, suffers, is for us. We with Him are crucified, we with Him rise in triumph from the grave. The Incarnation is for us and enables this created universe to partake of His Glory, to share in His death and resurrection. All of this profound teaching of the word of God is proclaimed in the feast of the Assumption. Mary, the Church “without spot or wrinkle” is now sharing, in the fullness of her being, in the victory of Christ crucified. She is a living example of the truth that in Jesus we die, in Jesus we rise to new, eternal life. This beautiful celebration of Mary’s victory in and through Christ Jesus proclaims the beautiful words of St. Paul: “Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through Our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Everything about our Lady also speaks of redeemed humanity. She is our sister in the human race, redeemed by the Incarnate Wisdom. In other words, when we look upon Mary, we see an image of ourselves. She is a living sign of what it means to be graced, to be redeemed, to share in the victory of Christ. We know that if we are faithful to the Lord as Mary is, we too share in eternal triumph. Gaze at Mary, assumed into heaven, and see yourself, all humanity, the entire cosmos in ultimate triumph. As Vatican II teaches, “Mary shines forth until the day the Lord shall come [2 Pet 3:10] as a sign of sure hope and comfort for the pilgrim People of God.”
The Assumption relevant? Especially in these times, what a magnificent source of hope and triumph, so much needed today. Does it alienate Mary from us? By no means! In the glory of her Assumption she is the eternal “Yes” of this creation to the redemption wrought by her Son. As Mother, she is constantly influencing us to live our baptism, to surrender all we are and have to Jesus. She is the image of what the Church, the baptized, are called to be. Holiness not only exalts, but it also draws near. To the extent that we live in Christ Jesus we are close to our brothers and sisters. Mary in the glory of the Assumption is the All Holy Woman. Exalted? Definitely. And therefore, so close to us.
Yes, the Assumption does make a difference!
The Assumption of Our Lady
Fr. Patrick Gaffney, SMM is a former professor of theology and dogma, former chairman of the theology department at St. Louis University and a renowned spiritual writer. He served multiple assignments as superior of the Montfort residences in St. Louis, MO and Litchfield, CT. He also served as a seminary professor at both residences. He continued to author a host of writings for spiritual periodicals and a number of books, including the writings of St. Louis de Montfort. Father Gaffney resided at the Montfort Spiritual Center on Long Island, and for many years responded to questions (Q&A) about St. Louis de Montfort’s Spirituality and Marian topics.
This Question and Answer would normally appear under The Queen: Questions & Answers section. However, we release this Q&A in August 2019, in honor of The Assumption; this is also included in The Queen: The Glimpse of What is To Come and is available ahead of The Queen’s first publication later in 2019.
